The opening marks the culmination of more than a year’s efforts to completely transform the former St. Mary’s Convent property into a luxurious combination of homes, and inn, spa, and restaurant destinations. Ginsburg stresses the importance of retaining much of the historic location, once home to George Washington’s revolutionary lookout post (and the later setting for The Facts of Life).

“If we’ve done our job right, it’ll look like it’s always been here,” he says of designing in and around the rocky landscape.

Photos by John Vecchiolla via Thompson & Bender

The residence's pool is nestled between waterfall and reflecting pool.

The Fort Hill Apartments will feature 178 brand new luxury rental units in one-, two-, and three-bedroom designs in three five-story buildings around a central courtyard. Many of the apartments feature Hudson view balconies and all with stainless steel appliances, designer baths, in-unit washer and dryer, and walk-in closets.

PHOTOS BY JOHN VECCHIOLLA VIA THOMPSON & BENDER

Apartments come in a variety of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts.

All residents can also access community amenities such as the fitness center with personal trainers, club lounge with televisions, kitchenette, and pool table, outdoor pool and barbecue pavilion, indoor garage and outdoor parking, complimentary shuttle to the Peekskill Metro-North, and of course special discounts at the spa and restaurant at the Abbey Inn. (Guests of residents can even get a special discount when staying at the 42-room Inn!)

Photo by Dave Zucker

“Our entire community will benefit from the Fort Hills Apartments and the Abbey Inn,” Mayor Rainey says. “This project spearheads the way of making Peekskill a premier destination.”

Photo by Dave Zucker

Floor plans currently available start at $2,175 per month for one-bedroom/one-bath layouts, and $2,850 for two-bedroom/two-bath models. The largest design, a 1,235 square foot three-bedroom/two-bath, starts at $3,350 per month. As a grand opening special, prospective residents are being offered one free month’s rent on one-year leases, or two month’s rent on two-year leases.